Anti-Israel Protesters Disrupt Biden Official's Testimony: 'Murderer'

Protesters interrupted Secretary of State Antony Blinken's testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, calling for a ceasefire and screaming at the Biden official that he has "blood on your hands."

Blinken appeared beside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss the White House's request for emergency aid for Israel amid the escalated Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After the deadly attacks in southern Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, Tel Aviv launched its heaviest-ever air strikes on the Gaza Strip, and Israeli ground forces began entering the region on Sunday.

Just as Blinken began his prepared statement, he was interrupted by a protester who called for a ceasefire in the conflict and condemned the U.S. for providing money to Israel.

"The U.S. is supporting a brutal massacre," the protester yelled, according to a video shared to X, formerly Twitter, by the Clash Report. The demonstrator also held up a sign that read, "No more $$$ 4 Israel."

A few minutes later, an additional protester stood up and appeared to begin reading from a sheet of paper, condemning Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.

"The Geneva Conventions prohibit the bombings of densely populated areas," the protester said, according to a video shared by Daily Caller News Editor Dylan Housman. "Stop supporting the genocide...of the people of Gaza."

"Ceasefire now," the demonstrator yelled as he was escorted out of the room. "Save the children of Gaza."

Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, addressed the protester's outburst and said she recognizes "that people feel very passionately" about the issue, but asked for order and respect during the hearing. Housman reported on X that within the first five or so minutes of Blinken's testimony, four protesters interrupted the hearing.

In another clip, which was shared by The Recount, several protesters stood up and began chanting, "From Palestine to Mexico, all the walls have got to go." Some demonstrators held up signs, while others showed the palms of their hands, which appeared to have been painted red.

As protesters continued the chant, one yelled over the crowd, "Blinken, you are funding genocide."

"Blinken, you have blood on your hands," the protester continued. "Murderer. Ceasefire now."

Housman also shared a video of a different view of the moment protesters began chanting that shows security escorting from the room a protester holding a sign that reads the same chant along with a symbol of a butterfly and a watermelon. The watermelon is a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians.

Newsweek reached out to the White House on Tuesday via email for comment.

President Joe Biden asked Congress on October 20 for nearly $106 billion in emergency funding to go toward supporting Israel, U.S. border security and assistance for Ukraine's war against Russia. Biden asked for $61.4 billion for Ukraine, and about half of the funding would be spent to replenish weapons stocks in the U.S.

Another $14.3 billion would be put toward Israel's fight, as well as $9 billion set aside for humanitarian relief for Israel and Gaza, while $13.6 billion would be dedicated to U.S. border security, and $4 billion for military assistance and other efforts to counter China's regional influence in Asia.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Monday during a press briefing that the U.S. believes that a ceasefire now benefits Hamas. The U.S. State Department designated Hamas as a terrorist organization in 1997.

"What we have said should be considered and explored are temporary localized humanitarian pauses to allow aid to get to specific populations and maybe even help with the evacuation of people that want to get out, move more to the south," Kirby said. "We do support that. We do not support a ceasefire at this time."

More than 1,400 people died in Israel during Hamas' attacks on October 7, according to the Associated Press, which cited Israeli sources. The Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza said that as of Sunday, the death toll in the Gaza Strip has surpassed 8,000, AP reported.

Update 10/31/23, 12:06 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with additional information and background.

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